The "Project Management Meeting" for the Erasmus+ Programme Higher Education Student and Staff Mobility Project (KA171) was held at Atatürk University.
The meeting organized by the Turkish National Agency, known as Erasmus+ KA171 Student and Staff Mobility Project Meeting, was attended by higher education institutions that had their project applications approved in 2023. The purpose of this meeting was to facilitate collaboration between Turkish higher education institutions and countries outside the European Union.
The event held in the Culture Centre Blue Hall was attended by esteemed participants including Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı, Vice Rectors Prof. Dr. Turgut Göğebakan and Prof. Dr. Mustafa Sözbilir, Turkish National Agency General Coordinator Yunus Alper Altay, Foreign Relations Office Coordinator Prof. Dr. Taşkın Öztaş, as well as representatives from Turkish National Agency and Erasmus+ Programme/International offices of various higher education institutions.

Altay stated that they are actively engaged in these programs using their own resources.

In his opening remarks, Yunus Alper Altay, the General Coordinator of the National Agency of Turkey, emphasized the longstanding presence of Atatürk University within the international scientific community. He expressed satisfaction that the event was taking place at this esteemed institution, which has accumulated significant expertise over the years. He emphasized that Turkey has implemented measures in recent years to align with contemporary standards in education and culture as an institution. It is asserted that there is a persistent commitment to diligently pursue the objective of internationalization within our nation. Altay stated that, as a candidate country for the European Union, they actively participate in EU programs using their national resources to enhance the quality of education and training. It is my contention that the active engagement of our staff and students in these programs, while demonstrating sensitivity, would effectively portray our country and nation in a highly favorable manner on the international stage.

Atatürk University functions as an intermediary, connecting historical roots with the forthcoming scientific heritage.

According to Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı, Atatürk University, a long-standing and esteemed institution of higher education in Turkey, serves as a bridge between the historical scholarly legacy and the future. Consequently, the university takes great pride in hosting significant gatherings that foster the advancement of policies within the realm of European Higher Education. Rector Prof. Dr. Ömer Çomaklı began his speech by thanking all of the attendees of the "ERASMUS+ Programme KA171 Higher Education Student and Staff Mobility Project - Project Management Meeting" hosted by the Higher Education Coordination of the Turkish National Agency.
According to Rector Çomaklı, Atatürk University places significant emphasis on internationalization in order to establish itself as a multicultural international hub that prioritizes education, research, and social contributions at the local, regional, and international levels. The university aspires to be recognized and respected globally as a "New Generation University." Rector Çomaklı further stated that the university's education programs adhere to international standards and are accompanied by robust academic personnel and well-equipped infrastructure, enabling the institution to conduct research and studies that serve as exemplars in the field of science. The university remains committed to its mission of "Always Forward in the Service of Life" and its motto of "Pioneering as its name."

According to Rector Çomaklı, the university's endeavors are ongoing and have been effective in attracting distinguished scholars and researchers.

According to Rector Çomaklı, our university places significant emphasis on the efficient utilization of exchange programs, particularly the Erasmus+ program, as well as the establishment of new international collaborations within the geographical regions it is situated. In this regard, the university effectively engages in training programs, bilateral agreements, and various initiatives to facilitate the internationalization of students, faculty members, and administrative staff. Additionally, these efforts aim to establish a platform that attracts esteemed foreign academics and researchers who possess notable recognition in their respective fields to our institution. The university accommodates a total of 9000 international students coming from 92 distinct countries, enrolled in various associate, undergraduate, and graduate programs. At present, our university maintains bilateral collaborations with over 300 higher education institutions spanning across 60 nations globally. Our university has achieved a position inside the top 500 globally across various academic disciplines.
Rector Çomaklı also addressed the participants from regions beyond the province, highlighting the rich historical background and distinctive cultural heritage of Erzurum. He expressed his hope that the meeting would yield favorable outcomes, emphasizing the ongoing progress of Atatürk University, situated in such a significant urban center.
The meeting concluded subsequent to a series of presentations and an assessment of the outputs of the programme.
14.09.2023 DIRECTORATE OF CORPORATE COMMUNICATION